--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had to live on $17,000 a year until I…" description: "\"I had to live on $17,000 a year until I was 33, because I was a failed artist until I was 29, when I made my first short film that went to Sundance.\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/jay-duplass-16656_art_i-had-to-live-on-17-000-a-year-until-i-w_2279392.jpg" --- # I had to live on $17,000 a year until I was 33, because I… ![“I had to live on $17,000 a year until I was 33, because I was a failed artist until I was 29, when I made my first short film that went to Sundance.” quote by Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/jay-duplass-16656_art_i-had-to-live-on-17-000-a-year-until-i-w_2279392.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/jay-duplass-16656_art_i-had-to-live-on-17-000-a-year-until-i-w_2279392.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/jay-duplass-16656_art_i-had-to-live-on-17-000-a-year-until-i-w_2279392.jpg) > “I had to live on $17,000 a year until I was 33, because I was a failed artist until I was 29, when I made my first short film that went to Sundance.” [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes surviving on a modest income while pursuing art, then breaking through with a Sundance film. **In simple terms:** Hard work and persistence lead to success. Key Takeaway Keep creating despite setbacks. Themes perseverance art career financial struggle Mood inspirational realistic Type motivational practical When to use this quote - freelance work - film festivals - grant applications Key Concepts indie filmmaking budgeting creative resilience Questions to Reflect On - What sacrifices are you willing to make for your art? - How can you sustain yourself while chasing dreams? A Different Perspective Success may still require financial stability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Short film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-film/) ## Related quotes > [When I went to Sundance back in 1998, indie film was all the rage, and Miramax was throwing down five or six million dollars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-anderson/when-i-went-to-sundance-back-in-1998-indie-film-was-all-the-rage-and/) [Brad Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-anderson/) > [I'd hit thirty, I'd sort of failed as a musician, I'd failed as an artist I felt at the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kaye/i-d-hit-thirty-i-d-sort-of-failed-as-a-musician-i-d-failed-as-an/) [Paul Kaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kaye/) > [“Our bloodlust to destroy as much of Nature as possible will be exposed for what it is: the jealous rage of a failed artist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petronius-jablonski/our-bloodlust-to-destroy-as-much-of-nature-as-possible-will-be/) Petronius Jablonski > [I went to Sundance Labs, and I definitely watched my male peers from there have very different meetings than I was having, very different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marielle-heller/i-went-to-sundance-labs-and-i-definitely-watched-my-male-peers-from/) [Marielle Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marielle-heller/) > [That's all I ever wanted to do in my life was music. And because I was a failed artist, I was actually able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-carter/that-s-all-i-ever-wanted-to-do-in-my-life-was-music-and-because-i-was/) [Troy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-carter/) > [I did watching my films with an audience at the beginning when we went to Sundance and we screened The Savages there. I watched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamara-jenkins/i-did-watching-my-films-with-an-audience-at-the-beginning-when-we/) [Tamara Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamara-jenkins/) > [With 'Half Nelson,' we went to Sundance and then we just bam, bam, bam, festival, festival, festival, festival and then we released in August.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-boden/with-half-nelson-we-went-to-sundance-and-then-we-just-bam-bam-bam/) [Anna Boden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-boden/) > [There is nothing fiercer than a failed artist. The energy remains, but, having no outlet, it implodes in a great black fart of rage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/there-is-nothing-fiercer-than-a-failed-artist-the-energy-remains-but/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [You can do a short film in three to four days, and then you can show it. Look at the careers you seen go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polson/you-can-do-a-short-film-in-three-to-four-days-and-then-you-can-show/) [John Polson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polson/) > [We had this idea, and I think a lot of people did going in, that you can make some short film and it's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-duffer/we-had-this-idea-and-i-think-a-lot-of-people-did-going-in-that-you/) [Ross Duffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-duffer/) > [I spent a long time on my first movie, which was the sequel to a short film that I did called 'Carne.' And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaspar-noe/i-spent-a-long-time-on-my-first-movie-which-was-the-sequel-to-a-short/) [Gaspar Noe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaspar-noe/) > [My earliest memory of actually definitely wanting to be a filmmaker was when I got thrown out of class when I was 10 and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-edwards/my-earliest-memory-of-actually-definitely-wanting-to-be-a-filmmaker/) [Gareth Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-edwards/) > [Rajkumar was the winner of 'Naalaya Iyakkunar Season 2,' and I was impressed with his short film. He joined me as an assistant when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vetrimaaran/rajkumar-was-the-winner-of-naalaya-iyakkunar-season-2-and-i-was/) [Vetrimaaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vetrimaaran/) > [You know, I once did a short film with Kay Cannon. It was set at a gynecologist's office and I was her nurse in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-hunt/you-know-i-once-did-a-short-film-with-kay-cannon-it-was-set-at-a/) [Brendan Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-hunt/) > [A gem of a short film has a sense of pure joy in animation that is different from anything you see in a feature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/a-gem-of-a-short-film-has-a-sense-of-pure-joy-in-animation-that-is/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) ## More by Jay Duplass > [Independent filmmaking burns off a lot of storytelling fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/independent-filmmaking-burns-off-a-lot-of-storytelling-fat/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [In ultralight backpacking, modified gear pieces come into play, like a tent you hoist with your trekking poles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/in-ultralight-backpacking-modified-gear-pieces-come-into-play-like-a/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [It is very common for people to come up to the cast members and say, 'Our family is OK now because of 'Transparent.''](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/it-is-very-common-for-people-to-come-up-to-the-cast-members-and-say/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [Now that I'm acting, I've realized that I don't have a lot of barriers. Certain actors have a hard time with anger or with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/now-that-i-m-acting-i-ve-realized-that-i-don-t-have-a-lot-of-barriers/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [I guess I need a hobby. Currently my primary hobby is complaining.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/i-guess-i-need-a-hobby-currently-my-primary-hobby-is-complaining/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [I always tell young filmmakers, don't go make a feature. Make a short. When you're ready to make a feature, people will tell you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/i-always-tell-young-filmmakers-don-t-go-make-a-feature-make-a-short/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [Our brains will destroy ourselves if we don't put it outward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/our-brains-will-destroy-ourselves-if-we-don-t-put-it-outward/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [When you grow up in New Orleans, like, the only way to be an artist is to be a 55-year-old black musician. That's basically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/when-you-grow-up-in-new-orleans-like-the-only-way-to-be-an-artist-is/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [An interview is only as good as both parties are willing to give to the interview and that includes the interviewer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/an-interview-is-only-as-good-as-both-parties-are-willing-to-give-to/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [I went to film school at UT Austin. I learned a lot, and that school's good for puking up all your bad movies early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/i-went-to-film-school-at-ut-austin-i-learned-a-lot-and-that-school-s/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [Breakups usually don't happen down by the river with beautiful lighting. The moment you realize your relationship may be over might happen in Aisle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/breakups-usually-don-t-happen-down-by-the-river-with-beautiful/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [My wife is a social worker and a feminist, and it feels natural to me to have these relationships with these powerhouse women that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/my-wife-is-a-social-worker-and-a-feminist-and-it-feels-natural-to-me/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [If we are to maintain a relevant and just industry, we must all open our eyes to the obvious lack of equality in wages,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/if-we-are-to-maintain-a-relevant-and-just-industry-we-must-all-open/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [My whole life, I've been the one in my family that's always too emotional and too sensitive. That's, like, my role in my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/my-whole-life-i-ve-been-the-one-in-my-family-that-s-always-too/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) > [I think the press mistakenly thought that all of these 'mumblecore' filmmakers were banded together in a similar ideology, but the truth is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/i-think-the-press-mistakenly-thought-that-all-of-these-mumblecore/) [Jay Duplass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) [Explore all 39 Jay Duplass quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I had to live on $17,000 a year until I was 33, because I was a failed artist until I was 29, when I made my first short film that went to Sundance.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jay Duplass" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/i-had-to-live-on-17-000-a-year-until-i-was-33-because-i-was-a-failed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/i-had-to-live-on-17-000-a-year-until-i-was-33-because-i-was-a-failed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/jay-duplass-16656_art_i-had-to-live-on-17-000-a-year-until-i-w_2279392.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/jay-duplass-16656_art_i-had-to-live-on-17-000-a-year-until-i-w_2279392.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/jay-duplass-16656_art_i-had-to-live-on-17-000-a-year-until-i-w_2279392.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I had to live on $17,000 a year until I was 33, because I was a failed artist until I was 29, when I made my…” — Jay Duplass", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jay Duplass", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-duplass/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I had to live on $17,000...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/i-had-to-live-on-17-000-a-year-until-i-was-33-because-i-was-a-failed/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-duplass/i-had-to-live-on-17-000-a-year-until-i-was-33-because-i-was-a-failed/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```